Cecil Flander, 94, of Grinnell and formerly of Monte-zuma, passed away Saturday evening, July 7, 2018, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A Mass of a Christian Burial was held Wednesday, July 11, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell. Burial was in Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or the Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department.
Cecil Donald Flander, the son of John R. and Irene (Conrad) Flander, was born Apr. 4, 1924, in Harper. He attended Bluff Creek Country School where he graduated from the eighth grade. Apr. 10, 1945, Cecil was united in marriage to Esther Hughes at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Albia. To this union nine children were born: Dale, Mildred, John, Roger, Dennis, Larry, Margaret, Teresa, and Marilyn. Cecil and Esther relocated to Montezuma in 1955, where they raised their children. He was a farmer and later a custodian at Montezuma Community Schools. Cecil enjoyed playing cards, fishing, farming, gardening, and watching WWE on TV. Cecil was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell.
His memory will be honored by his eight children: Dale (Bev) Flander of Lynnville, Mildred (Dennis) Steichen of Swisher, Roger (Barb) Flander of Grinnell, Dennis (Mary) Flander of Montezuma, Larry (Pam) Flander of Montezuma, Margaret (Tom) Wilson of Grinnell, Teresa (Kevin) Hartgers of Colfax, and Marilyn Bailey (Mark Snook) of Des Moines; 20 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a daughter-in-law, Patty Flander of What Cheer.
Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Esther, in 2014; his son, John Flander, in 2011; his great-granddaughter, Gracyn Jane Yokum; and six siblings.
